A MAN died and two others were seriously injured when a blaze swept through a Birmingham house today.

The fire ripped though rooms in the three-storey terraced house in Birchfield Road, Aston, shortly after 1am.

The dead man, who was aged 54, suffered extensive injuries and died in hospital after doctors battled in vain to save him.

A 51-year-old man escaped with serious head and facial injuries and is being treated in hospital. Another man, aged 48, suffered serious smoke inhalation, but was released from hospital after treatment.

Police at the scene were today preventing firefighters from talking about the blaze. They described the fire as "unexplained". A West Midlands Police spokesman said: "We have launched an investigation into the incident and cannot release any more details at this time.

"We can confirm that we are currently treating the fire as unexplained."

More than 25 firefighters from stations across the city, including Central, Aston, Highgate, Ladywood and Perry Barr, were called to the blaze at around 1.18am.

Neighbours around the house were today stunned by the tragedy.

Amjed Hussain, a 27-year-old communications worker, said: "I was woken up by the sounds of the sirens from the fire engines this morning.

"It's really sad that somebody has died. It is really shocking that it has happened just over the road."

Salma Begum, a 22-year-old council worker, said: "I didn't hear anything last night, but I was shocked to see the fire crews there this morning.

"Despite the fact it's on a main road, it's quite peaceful round here and we haven't had anything like this before. It's very unusual and you wouldn't expect it at all. I think everyone round here will be shocked."

Police today set up a cordon around the house and ten other neighbouring homes in the block of three-storey terraced houses.

Scenes of crime officers were carrying out a thorough search within the home to discover the cause of the blaze.

The West Midlands Fire Service investigation team was also at the scene.